Mowing machine chute cleaner apparatus and method

Abstract

A mowing machine chute cleaner apparatus and method including a housing and at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass. The mowing machine includes a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, wherein the discharge chute defining an exit opening, and the mowing machine includes a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap. The mowing machine also includes a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine which can be moved in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute by movement of the cover flap to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A grass mowing machine comprising: 
       (a) a housing;  
       (b) an engine attached to the housing;  
       (c) at least one rotatable blade operatively connected to the engine and positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass;  
       (d) a discharge chute defined by the housing for discharge of cut grass through the discharge chute and out of an exit end defining an exit opening;  
       (e) a cover flap attached at an attachment end of the cover flap to the discharge chute exit end, the cover flap being movable from a closed position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is covered by the cover flap, to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap; and  
       (f) a clearing flap extending within the discharge chute, the clearing flap movably attached at an attachment end of the clearing flap to the discharge chute exit end at least proximate the attachment end of cover flap, the cover flap being rotatable in its open position wherein the attachment end of the cover flap contacts the attachment end of the clearing flap forcing the clearing flap to swing at least partially through a portion of the discharge chute.  
     
     
       2. A grass mowing machine comprising: 
       (a) a housing;  
       (b) at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass;  
       (c) a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, the discharge chute defining an exit opening;  
       (d) a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap;  
       (e) a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine for moving in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute, the clearing flap and the cover flap being operative whereby the cover flap can be moved in its open position to cause the clearing flap to move in its clearing motion; and  
       (f) wherein the cover flap and the clearing flap are attached to the grass mowing machine for rotation about a common axis.  
     
     
       3. A grass mowing machine comprising: 
       (a) a housing;  
       (b) at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass;  
       (c) a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, the discharge chute defining an exit opening;  
       (d) a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap;  
       (e) a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine for moving in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute, the clearing flap and the cover flap being operative whereby the cover flap can be moved in its open position to cause the clearing flap to move in its clearing motion; and  
       (f) wherein the cover flap and the clearing flap are attached to the grass mowing machine for rotation about a common axis and wherein the cover flap and the clearing flap are attached to an upper portion of the discharge chute.  
     
     
       4. A grass mowing machine comprising: 
       (a) a housing;  
       (b) at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass;  
       (c) a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, the discharge chute defining an exit opening;  
       (d) a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap;  
       (e) a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine for moving in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute, the clearing flap and the cover flap being operative whereby the cover flap can be moved in its open position to cause the clearing flap to move in its clearing motion;  
       (f) wherein the cover flap and the clearing flap are attached to the grass mowing machine for rotation about a common axis; and  
       (g) wherein the cover flap defines a portion which contacts at least a portion of the clearing flap and forces the clearing flap to move in its clearing motion when the cover flap is in its open position and is moved about the axis in a direction away from the closed position of the cover flap.  
     
     
       5. A grass mowing machine comprising: 
       (a) a housing;  
       (b) at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass;  
       (c) a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, the discharge chute defining an exit opening;  
       (d) a removable grass collector attached to the grass mowing machine for collecting cut grass discharged from the discharge chute;  
       (e) a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position for covering the discharge chute exit opening when the grass collector is unattached to an open position when the grass collector is attached and wherein the discharge chute exit opening is covered by the grass collector;  
       (f) a clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine for moving in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute to push cut grass from the discharge chute and into the grass collector, the clearing flap and the cover flap being operative whereby the cover flap can be moved in its open position to cause the clearing flap to move in its clearing position; and  
       (g) wherein the cover flap and the clearing flap are attached to the grass mowing machine for rotation about a common axis.